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First Post
5 days ago
- Health
- First Post
How a new 'milestone' technique could help chemo patients from losing their hair
Scientists at Sheffield Hallam University say they have developed a 'powerful double weapon' against hair loss caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients. Researchers say the treatment combines scalp cooling caps with an antioxidant-rich lotion, which has ingredients like those found in red grapes read more Developed by researchers at Sheffield Hallam University, the new method builds on existing scalp cooling technology by adding a topical antioxidant lotion to the mix. Image courtesy: Paxman Scalp Cooling For many cancer patients, hair loss during chemotherapy is one of the most emotionally difficult parts of treatment. For most patients, maintaining their hair is not just about vanity –it's about holding on to a part of themselves—their identity, confidence, and a sense of control in the middle of something so uncertain. That's why scalp cooling caps, also known as cold caps, have become increasingly common in cancer wards. Now, scientists believe they may have found something even better. A new approach, described as a 'powerful double weapon', combines scalp cooling with an antioxidant-rich lotion, using ingredients like those found in red grapes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, how does it work? Here's what we know. Why does chemotherapy cause hair loss? Hair loss during chemotherapy isn't just a side effect, it's often what makes the experience of cancer visible. Dr Nik Georgopoulos, associate professor of cell biology and a Transforming Lives fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, calls it the 'face of cancer.' 'The reason why people get hair loss is because, at the base of the hair follicles, there are these rapidly dividing cells that are actually feeling the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs,' he explained. 'Chemotherapy drugs are drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they cannot discriminate between cancer cells and rapidly dividing normal cells in the body,' he added. 'At the base of our hair follicles are these rapidly dividing cells, or keratinocytes, that constantly grow and they end up forming the actual hair.' Because of this, many patients begin to notice thinning or shedding within just a few weeks of starting treatment. Chemotherapy drugs are drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they cannot discriminate between cancer cells and rapidly dividing normal cells in the body. Image for Representation. One of the existing solutions to help reduce this is the scalp cooling cap. These cold caps lower the temperature of the scalp during chemo sessions, narrowing blood vessels and reducing the amount of toxic medication that reaches the follicles. This slows down the activity of hair-producing cells, giving them a better chance of surviving treatment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Though cold caps have helped many patients preserve some of their hair, they're not equally effective for everyone. Results can vary depending on the chemotherapy drugs used, how long the cooling is applied, and even differences in scalp shape or hair thickness. What does the new treatment do differently? Developed by researchers at Sheffield Hallam University, the new method builds on existing scalp cooling technology by adding a topical antioxidant lotion to the mix. The lotion contains compounds like resveratrol and N-acetyl cysteine, both known for their antioxidant properties. Interestingly, resveratrol is also found in red grapes and has long been studied for its potential health benefits. In their study, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, scientists isolated hair follicles from the scalp and grew them in lab conditions. They were then treated with chemotherapy drugs to mimic real-world effects. Dr Nik Georgopoulos, who led the research, explained why the added lotion could make a difference. 'For some patients, cooling works, and for others it doesn't,' he said. 'Because some heads—I call them stubborn—they don't cool enough.' By adding the antioxidant lotion during the cooling process, the team saw promising results in the lab. 'We form a powerful double weapon that, based on our results in the lab, showed us it can transform the ability of cooling to protect,' Georgopoulos said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, he clarified that the lotion on its own wouldn't be enough. 'The antioxidant is not 'powerful enough' when used alone,' he said. 'The reason for that is cooling does multiple amazing things at the same time.' The research found that cooling the scalp to 18 degrees Celsius helps prevent hair follicle damage, while milder cooling—around 26 degrees Celsius—wasn't as effective. Combining the right temperature with the antioxidant blend improved follicle protection significantly. The team also collaborated with Paxman Scalp Cooling, a company that produces cooling caps for chemotherapy patients. These caps circulate coolant through a fitted cap, worn by patients starting 30 minutes before chemo, during treatment, and for up to 90 minutes afterwards. Scientists are now finalising which antioxidants to use in the topical product for future testing. Georgopoulos believes this combination could not only enhance hair preservation during treatment but also speed up hair regrowth afterwards. 'Our ongoing work will ensure that efficacy is as high as possible,' he said, 'with the belief that a topical agent will not only dramatically enhance the efficacy of scalp cooling, but also significantly accelerates hair recovery post chemotherapy.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
New technique to prevent chemotherapy hair loss hailed as ‘powerful double weapon'
Researchers say the 'milestone' technique could transform the way hair is protected during treatment. Scientists have discovered a new technique which they describe as a "powerful double weapon" which could prevent cancer patients from losing their hair during chemotherapy. The groundbreaking new technique - being hailed as a major breakthrough - combines scalp cooling, where a patient wears a cold cap to help reduce hair loss from the damage caused by the cancer drugs – with a lotion comprising the same antioxidants found in the likes of red grapes. Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University say the technique, described as a 'milestone', could transform the way hair is protected during treatment. And they've even pinpointed the exact temperature that's most effective. Cold caps, which are already used by some cancer patients during chemotherapy, restricts blood flow to the scalp, which reduces the amount of medication reaching the hair follicles. Researchers have found cooling the scalp to 18C can prevent hair follicle damage, while cooling to 26C may not provide enough protection to hair follicle cells. The team behind the breakthrough has also shown how combining topical antioxidants with cooling could 'transform the ability of cooling to protect' against hair loss. Dr Nik Georgopoulos, an associate professor of cell biology and a Transforming Lives fellow at Sheffield Hallam, told the PA news agency that he views hair loss as the 'face of cancer '. 'The reason why people get hair loss is because, at the base of the hair follicles, there are these rapidly dividing cells that are actually feeling the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs,' he said. 'Chemotherapy drugs are drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they cannot discriminate between cancer cells and rapidly dividing normal cells in the body. 'At the base of our hair follicles are these rapidly dividing cells, or keratinocytes, that constantly grow and they end up forming the actual hair.' In the study, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, researchers grew human hair follicles in the lab, then exposed them to chemotherapy to observe the damage. 'We show that they die,' Dr Georgopoulos said. 'The cells that are rapidly dividing and grow the hair, they will die because of the toxicity of chemotherapy. 'But if you cool them, they are protected, and I don't mean just protected – prevented from dying. 'So if cooling is used while the hair follicles are grown in the lab, it can completely prevent the toxicity. But there is a catch – you have to use the right temperature.' While the team nailed down the ideal cooling temperature, they also looked at how combining it with the lotion as a potential target for patients who may not respond to the cold cap technique. The lotion contained antioxidants like resveratrol, which is found in the likes of red grapes and peanuts, and N-Acetylcysteine, a dietary supplement. Dr Georgopoulos told PA: 'For some patients, cooling works, and for others it doesn't. Because some heads – I call them stubborn – they don't cool enough. 'By adding this topical product that delivers this antioxidant, we form a powerful double weapon that, based on our results in the lab, showed us it can transform the ability of cooling to protect.' Dr Georgopoulos added that the antioxidant lotion is not 'powerful enough' when used alone. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'The reason for that is cooling does multiple amazing things at the same time,' he said. 'What happens in the body when things go cold? You get the constriction of your blood vessels, they're narrowing down, less blood goes to the scalp, less drug. It isn't as simple as that. 'Our research has shown that cooling can slow down the cells, stops them from dividing – protection. 'It stops the chemotherapy drug going in – protection. It does multiple things at the same time as long as the cooling is optimal. 'If it isn't optimal, our approach is now allowing us to actually say 'it's OK, it's not an ideal scenario, but we compensate for it with our topical product'.' Dr Georgopoulos has been working with Paxman Scalp Cooling for more than a decade. The Huddersfield-based business has created a device that circulates coolant through a specially designed cooling cap, worn by the patient. The cooling cap is worn for half an hour before chemotherapy treatment commences, during treatment, and for up to 90 minutes after all the drugs have been given. It is now hoped the new technique, combining scalp cooling with the antioxidants, can be trialled with cancer patients using the Paxman device, with researchers currently finalising the antioxidants that will be used in the topical product. Dr Georgopoulos said: 'Our ongoing work will ensure that efficacy is as high as possible with the belief that a topical agent will not only dramatically enhance the efficacy of scalp cooling in protecting from hair loss, but also significantly accelerates hair recovery post chemotherapy treatment.'
STV News
6 days ago
- Health
- STV News
New technique 'powerful double weapon' to prevent chemotherapy hair loss
Scientists have developed a new technique which they describe as a 'powerful double weapon' to prevent cancer patients losing their hair during chemotherapy. The method combines scalp cooling – where a patient wears a cold cap to help reduce hair loss from the damage caused by the cancer drugs – with a lotion comprising the same antioxidants found in the likes of red grapes. The study, which has been hailed as a 'milestone', also pinpointed the optimal temperature for scalp cooling to be most effective for keeping hair. Cold caps are used by some cancer patients during chemotherapy to help minimise the amount of hair they lose. The technique works by restricting blood flow to the scalp, which reduces the amount of medication reaching the hair follicles. Now, researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have found cooling the scalp to 18C can prevent hair follicle damage, while cooling to 26C may not provide enough protection to hair follicle cells. The team has also shown how combining topical antioxidants with cooling could 'transform the ability of cooling to protect' against hair loss. Dr Nik Georgopoulos, an associate professor of cell biology and Transforming Lives fellow at Sheffield Hallam, told the PA news agency that he views hair loss as the 'face of cancer'. 'The reason why people get hair loss is because, at the base of the hair follicles, there are these rapidly dividing cells that are actually feeling the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs,' he said. 'Chemotherapy drugs are drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they cannot discriminate between cancer cells and rapidly dividing normal cells in the body. 'At the base of our hair follicles are these rapidly dividing cells, or keratinocytes, that constantly grow and they end up forming the actual hair.' For the study, published in Frontiers of Pharmacology, hair follicles were isolated from the scalp and grown in the lab before being treated with chemotherapy to study the impact. 'We show that they die,' Dr Georgopoulos said. 'The cells that are rapidly dividing and grow the hair, they will die because of the toxicity of chemotherapy. 'But if you cool them, they are protected, and I don't mean just protected – prevented from dying. 'So if cooling is used while the hair follicles are grown in the lab, it can completely prevent the toxicity. But there is a catch – you have to use the right temperature.' While an optimal temperature was highlighted in the study, researchers also combined cooling with the lotion as a potential target for patients who may not respond to the cold cap technique. It contained antioxidants like resveratrol, which is found in the likes of red grapes and peanuts, and N-Acetylcysteine, a dietary supplement. Dr Georgopoulos told PA: 'For some patients, cooling works, and for others it doesn't. Because some heads – I call them stubborn – they don't cool enough. 'By adding this topical product that delivers this antioxidant, we form a powerful double weapon that, based on our results in the lab, showed us it can transform the ability of cooling to protect.' Dr Georgopoulos added that the antioxidant lotion is not 'powerful enough' when used alone. 'The reason for that is cooling does multiple amazing things at the same time,' he said. 'What happens in the body when things go cold? You get the constriction of your blood vessels, they're narrowing down, less blood goes to the scalp, less drug. It isn't as simple as that. 'Our research has shown that cooling can slow down the cells, stops them from dividing – protection. 'It stops the chemotherapy drug going in – protection. It does multiple things at the same time as long as the cooling is optimal. 'If it isn't optimal, our approach is now allowing us to actually say 'it's OK, it's not an ideal scenario, but we compensate for it with our topical product'. Dr Georgopoulos has been working with Paxman Scalp Cooling for more than a decade. The Huddersfield-based business has created a device that circulates coolant through a specially designed cooling cap, worn by the patient. The cooling cap is worn for half an hour before chemotherapy treatment commences, during treatment, and for up to 90 minutes after all the drugs have been given. It is now hoped the new technique, combining scalp cooling with the antioxidants, can be trialled with cancer patients using the Paxman device, with researchers currently finalising the antioxidants that will be used in the topical product. Dr Georgopoulos said: 'Our ongoing work will ensure that efficacy is as high as possible with the belief that a topical agent will not only dramatically enhance the efficacy of scalp cooling in protecting from hair loss, but also significantly accelerates hair recovery post chemotherapy treatment.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
New technique hailed as ‘powerful double weapon' against chemo hair loss
The method combines scalp cooling – where a patient wears a cold cap to help reduce hair loss from the damage caused by the cancer drugs – with a lotion comprising the same antioxidants found in the likes of red grapes. The study, which has been hailed as a 'milestone', also pinpointed the optimal temperature for scalp cooling to be most effective for keeping hair. Cold caps are used by some cancer patients during chemotherapy to help minimise the amount of hair they lose. The technique works by restricting blood flow to the scalp, which reduces the amount of medication reaching the hair follicles. Now, researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have found cooling the scalp to 18C can prevent hair follicle damage, while cooling to 26C may not provide enough protection to hair follicle cells. The team has also shown how combining topical antioxidants with cooling could 'transform the ability of cooling to protect' against hair loss. Dr Nik Georgopoulos, an associate professor of cell biology and Transforming Lives fellow at Sheffield Hallam, told the PA news agency that he views hair loss as the 'face of cancer'. 'The reason why people get hair loss is because, at the base of the hair follicles, there are these rapidly dividing cells that are actually feeling the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs,' he said. 'Chemotherapy drugs are drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they cannot discriminate between cancer cells and rapidly dividing normal cells in the body. 'At the base of our hair follicles are these rapidly dividing cells, or keratinocytes, that constantly grow and they end up forming the actual hair.' For the study, published in Frontiers of Pharmacology, hair follicles were isolated from the scalp and grown in the lab before being treated with chemotherapy to study the impact. 'We show that they die,' Dr Georgopoulos said. 'The cells that are rapidly dividing and grow the hair, they will die because of the toxicity of chemotherapy. 'But if you cool them, they are protected, and I don't mean just protected – prevented from dying. 'So if cooling is used while the hair follicles are grown in the lab, it can completely prevent the toxicity. But there is a catch – you have to use the right temperature.' While an optimal temperature was highlighted in the study, researchers also combined cooling with the lotion as a potential target for patients who may not respond to the cold cap technique. It contained antioxidants like resveratrol, which is found in the likes of red grapes and peanuts, and N-Acetylcysteine, a dietary supplement. Dr Georgopoulos told PA: 'For some patients, cooling works, and for others it doesn't. Because some heads – I call them stubborn – they don't cool enough. 'By adding this topical product that delivers this antioxidant, we form a powerful double weapon that, based on our results in the lab, showed us it can transform the ability of cooling to protect.' Dr Georgopoulos added that the antioxidant lotion is not 'powerful enough' when used alone. 'The reason for that is cooling does multiple amazing things at the same time,' he said. 'What happens in the body when things go cold? You get the constriction of your blood vessels, they're narrowing down, less blood goes to the scalp, less drug. It isn't as simple as that. 'Our research has shown that cooling can slow down the cells, stops them from dividing – protection. 'It stops the chemotherapy drug going in – protection. It does multiple things at the same time as long as the cooling is optimal. 'If it isn't optimal, our approach is now allowing us to actually say 'it's OK, it's not an ideal scenario, but we compensate for it with our topical product'. Dr Georgopoulos has been working with Paxman Scalp Cooling for more than a decade. The Huddersfield-based business has created a device that circulates coolant through a specially designed cooling cap, worn by the patient. The cooling cap is worn for half an hour before chemotherapy treatment commences, during treatment, and for up to 90 minutes after all the drugs have been given. It is now hoped the new technique, combining scalp cooling with the antioxidants, can be trialled with cancer patients using the Paxman device, with researchers currently finalising the antioxidants that will be used in the topical product. Dr Georgopoulos said: 'Our ongoing work will ensure that efficacy is as high as possible with the belief that a topical agent will not only dramatically enhance the efficacy of scalp cooling in protecting from hair loss, but also significantly accelerates hair recovery post chemotherapy treatment.'
North Wales Chronicle
7 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
New technique hailed as ‘powerful double weapon' against chemo hair loss
The method combines scalp cooling – where a patient wears a cold cap to help reduce hair loss from the damage caused by the cancer drugs – with a lotion comprising the same antioxidants found in the likes of red grapes. The study, which has been hailed as a 'milestone', also pinpointed the optimal temperature for scalp cooling to be most effective for keeping hair. Cold caps are used by some cancer patients during chemotherapy to help minimise the amount of hair they lose. The technique works by restricting blood flow to the scalp, which reduces the amount of medication reaching the hair follicles. Now, researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have found cooling the scalp to 18C can prevent hair follicle damage, while cooling to 26C may not provide enough protection to hair follicle cells. The team has also shown how combining topical antioxidants with cooling could 'transform the ability of cooling to protect' against hair loss. Dr Nik Georgopoulos, an associate professor of cell biology and Transforming Lives fellow at Sheffield Hallam, told the PA news agency that he views hair loss as the 'face of cancer'. 'The reason why people get hair loss is because, at the base of the hair follicles, there are these rapidly dividing cells that are actually feeling the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs,' he said. 'Chemotherapy drugs are drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they cannot discriminate between cancer cells and rapidly dividing normal cells in the body. 'At the base of our hair follicles are these rapidly dividing cells, or keratinocytes, that constantly grow and they end up forming the actual hair.' For the study, published in Frontiers of Pharmacology, hair follicles were isolated from the scalp and grown in the lab before being treated with chemotherapy to study the impact. 'We show that they die,' Dr Georgopoulos said. 'The cells that are rapidly dividing and grow the hair, they will die because of the toxicity of chemotherapy. 'But if you cool them, they are protected, and I don't mean just protected – prevented from dying. 'So if cooling is used while the hair follicles are grown in the lab, it can completely prevent the toxicity. But there is a catch – you have to use the right temperature.' While an optimal temperature was highlighted in the study, researchers also combined cooling with the lotion as a potential target for patients who may not respond to the cold cap technique. It contained antioxidants like resveratrol, which is found in the likes of red grapes and peanuts, and N-Acetylcysteine, a dietary supplement. Dr Georgopoulos told PA: 'For some patients, cooling works, and for others it doesn't. Because some heads – I call them stubborn – they don't cool enough. 'By adding this topical product that delivers this antioxidant, we form a powerful double weapon that, based on our results in the lab, showed us it can transform the ability of cooling to protect.' Dr Georgopoulos added that the antioxidant lotion is not 'powerful enough' when used alone. 'The reason for that is cooling does multiple amazing things at the same time,' he said. 'What happens in the body when things go cold? You get the constriction of your blood vessels, they're narrowing down, less blood goes to the scalp, less drug. It isn't as simple as that. 'Our research has shown that cooling can slow down the cells, stops them from dividing – protection. 'It stops the chemotherapy drug going in – protection. It does multiple things at the same time as long as the cooling is optimal. 'If it isn't optimal, our approach is now allowing us to actually say 'it's OK, it's not an ideal scenario, but we compensate for it with our topical product'. Dr Georgopoulos has been working with Paxman Scalp Cooling for more than a decade. The Huddersfield-based business has created a device that circulates coolant through a specially designed cooling cap, worn by the patient. The cooling cap is worn for half an hour before chemotherapy treatment commences, during treatment, and for up to 90 minutes after all the drugs have been given. It is now hoped the new technique, combining scalp cooling with the antioxidants, can be trialled with cancer patients using the Paxman device, with researchers currently finalising the antioxidants that will be used in the topical product. Dr Georgopoulos said: 'Our ongoing work will ensure that efficacy is as high as possible with the belief that a topical agent will not only dramatically enhance the efficacy of scalp cooling in protecting from hair loss, but also significantly accelerates hair recovery post chemotherapy treatment.'
